Opposition to challenge Bt400bn additional borrowing

In the House debate on the government’s 400 billion baht Loan Decree the opposition will focus on two main issues, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party said today.

The first issue, he said, is whether it is justified as a matter of urgency for the government use an Executive Decree, thus bypassing parliamentary scrutiny, to secure more public sector borrowing, instead of issuing a Bill.

The second issue is whether parliament has the constitutional authority to debate the decree now that it has already become law.

Natthaphong said that all MPs, from both sides of the House, should have the right to speak freely about the Loan Decree in parliament without any interruption from government MPs, some of whom may cite the Constitutional Court’s ruling that the government has the authority to issue the Loan Decree in accordance with Section 172 of the Constitution.

He also said that his party doubts whether it was a matter of urgent necessity for the government to resort to a Loan Decree to fund the plan for Thailand’s transition from fossil to clean and renewable energy.

The opposition leader pointed out that the plan to migrate to clean energy will take many years to realised, so it is unnecessary for the taxpayer to fund the project as the private sector and state enterprises, such as the three electricity generating authorities, can participate in the plan and make their own investments.

Due to the government’s majority in parliament, Natthaphong admitted that the opposition will lose the vote anyway but emphasised that they have a duty to ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and that fiscal discipline is maintained by the government.

About half of the 400 billion baht loan is being used to fund the government’s ‘Thai Chuay Thai Plus’ scheme and to support state welfare card holders. The rest is to fund the energy transition project.

After a months-long recess, parliament reopens today for the second session, which will last until December 22.